whittle Meaning, Definition & Usage

Whit"tle noun

Etymology

AS. hwitel, from hwit white; akin to Icel. hvitill a white bed cover. See White.

Definitions

1. A grayish, coarse double blanket worn by countrywomen, in the west of England, over the shoulders, like a cloak or shawl. C. Kingsley.
2. Same as Whittle shawl, below.

Whit"tle noun

Etymology

OE. thwitel, fr. AS. pwitan to cut. Cf. Thwittle, Thwaite a piece of ground.

Definitions

1. A knife; esp., a pocket, sheath, or clasp knife. "A butcher's whittle." Dryden. "Rude whittles." Macaulay.

   He wore a Sheffield whittle in his hose. Betterton.

Whit"tle transitive verb

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Whittled ; present participle & verbal noun Whittling

Definitions

1. To pare or cut off the surface of with a small knife; to cut or shape, as a piece of wood held in the hand, with a clasp knife or pocketknife.
2. To edge; to sharpen; to render eager or excited; esp., to excite with liquor; to inebriate. Obs.

   "In vino veritas." When men are well whittled, their tongues run at random. Withals.

Whit"tle intransitive verb

Definitions

1. To cut or shape a piece of wood with am small knife; to cut up a piece of wood with a knife.

   Dexterity with a pocketknife is a part of a Nantucket education; but I am inclined to think the propensity is national. Americans must and will whittle. Willis.